Web Content Viewer (JSR 286)

Web Content Viewer (JSR 286)

Constituent Update - July 19, 2013

Upcoming Publication on Dioxins

The Journal of Food Protection will publish an FSIS-authored paper on dioxins. This paper is an analysis of the September 2007-September 2008 dioxins survey conducted by FSIS, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Kerry Dearfield and his colleagues in the FSIS Office of Public Health Science compared this data to the reference dose (RfD) established by the EPA and converted these findings to exposure across all populations using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and the recommended Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010. This paper will be published on August 1 and will be available online on August 5.

The Small Plant Help Desk: We Are Here For You!

If you are a small or very small plant, there is a valuable resource available right at your fingertips! The Small Plant Help Desk is a tool you can use as a small or very small business owner or operator to help answer questions such as: How do I apply for a grant of inspection? Who do I contact if I want to start a mobile slaughter unit? Where can I locate the How to Develop a Meat and Poultry Recall Plan online? All of these questions can be easily answered by contacting the staff at the Small Plant Help Desk.

The staff on the Help Desk have in-plant experience and expertise assisting with the grant of inspection and walking you step-by-step through the process. Staff can also assist you in finding valuable resources regarding your in-plant operations and can point you in the right direction for more specific inquiries.

The Help Desk is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST. We have staff ready to answer your calls, so you can expect someone to answer. If you do call and we are unavailable, it’s because we are either on the call with other customers or temporarily out of the office. Please be sure to leave a message or contact us by e-mail because we will get back to you! To reach the Small Plant Help Desk, call 1(877) 374-7435, or e-mail Infosource@fsis.usda.gov. For all policy questions, contact AskFSIS. We look forward to hearing from you!

Updated Validated Test Kit Tables Now Available

FSIS is announcing the availability of updated tables of validated test kits to regulated establishments. These test for the presence of relevant pathogens or indicator organisms of interest (Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC); Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria species; and Salmonella and Campylobacter species) in meat, poultry and processed egg products. These tables are intended to be informational and are not an endorsement or approval of any particular method by the agency. The tables are available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/909c8279-6865-424d-ab7a-e1f165646c63/Validated-Test-Kit-Spreadsheet.xls?MOD=AJPERES. FSIS intends to update these tables on a quarterly basis.

Export Requirement Updates

The Library of Export Requirements has been updated to reflect changes in export requirements for the following areas:

Find food safety information for at-risk people, along with tips and resources to keep consumers and other interested groups informed of the latest agency news and events. Follow FSIS on Twitter at www.twitter.com/USDAFoodSafety.